Dc-dc converters based on piezoelectric transformers

Abstract

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a converter having a first port and a second port, the converter comprises: a piezoelectric transformer (PT) having a first port and a second port; one or more first switches configured to operate in accordance with a first switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the first port of the converter to the first port of the PT, the first switching sub-sequence having at least six (6) stages; and one or more second switches configured to operate in accordance with a second switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the second port of the PT to the second port of the converter.

1 . A converter having a first port and a second port, the converter comprising:
 a piezoelectric transformer (PT) having a first port and a second port;   one or more first switches configured to operate in accordance with a first switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the first port of the converter to the first port of the PT, the first switching sub-sequence having at least six (6) stages; and   one or more second switches configured to operate in accordance with a second switching sub-sequence to transfer energy from the second port of the PT to the second port of the converter.   
     
     
         2 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first port of the converter is an input port and the second port of the converter is an output port. 
     
     
         3 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first port of the converter is an output port and the second port of the converter is an input port. 
     
     
         4 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the second switching sub-sequence has at least four (4) stages. 
     
     
         5 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first switching sub-sequence has six (6) stages and the second switching sub-sequence has four (4) stages. 
     
     
         6 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first switching sub-sequence has six (6) stages and the second switching sub-sequence has six (6) stages. 
     
     
         7 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first switching sub-sequence and second switching sub-sequence comprise a switching sequence of the converter, wherein the switching sequence includes:
 connected stages in which the first port of the PT and the second port of the PT are both connected to one of the first port of the converter, the second port of the converter, or the other port of the PT; and   open stages in which at least one of the first port of the PT port or the second port of the PT is not connected by a closed switch to one of the first port of the converter, the second port of the converter, or the other port of the PT.   
     
     
         8 . The converter of  claim 7 , wherein the at least six (6) stages of the first switching alternate between connected stages and open stages. 
     
     
         9 . The converter of  claim 7 , wherein the second switching sub-sequence has at least four (4) stages alternating between connected stages and open stages. 
     
     
         10 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first switches are arranged in a half bridge (HB) topology and the one or more second switches are arranged in a half bridge (HB) topology. 
     
     
         11 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first switches are arranged in a full bridge (FB) topology and the one or more second switches are arranged in a half bridge (HB) topology. 
     
     
         12 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first switches are arranged in a half bridge (HB) topology and the one or more second switches are arranged in a full bridge (FB) topology. 
     
     
         13 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first switches are arranged in a full bridge (FB) topology and the one or more second switches are arranged in a full bridge (FB) topology. 
     
     
         14 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the first port and second port of the converter are connected by a common-negative. 
     
     
         15 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the PT has three terminals with one of the terminals shared between the first and second port of the PT. 
     
     
         16 . The converter of  claim 1 , further comprising a switching controller configured to operate the one or more first switches in accordance with the first switching sub-sequence and the one or more second switches in accordance with the second switching sub-sequence. 
     
     
         17 . A converter having a first port and a second port, the converter comprising:
 a piezoelectric transformer (PT) having a first port and a second port;   first switches connected between the first port of the converter and the first port of the PT and arranged in a full bridge (FB) topology; and   second switches connected between the second port of the converter and the second port,   wherein the first and second port of the converter are not isolated,   wherein first switches and the second switches configured to operate in accordance with one or more switching sequences to transfer energy from the first port of the converter to the second port of the converter.   
     
     
         18 . The converter of  claim 17 , wherein the first port of the converter and second port of the converter are connected by a common-negative. 
     
     
         19 . The converter of  claim 17 , wherein the first switches comprise active switches. 
     
     
         20 . The converter of  claim 17 , wherein the second switches comprise at least one passive switch.